Chicago Bears: The picture-perfect 2021 NFL Mock Draft
By Ryan Heckman
WR. JaelonDarden. Pick Analysis. North Texas. 3. player. 57. Scouting Report
The Chicago Bears double down at the wide receiver position
Not only could the Bears be without Allen Robinson after the next month or so, but Anthony Miller is in danger of being cut. If you haven’t heard by now, the front office was displeased with his ejection against the Saints and, quite frankly, his attitude has been a problem since he got to Chicago.
The way Miller carries himself sometimes is a bit immature, and mental mistakes have plagued him at times as well. Replacing him would benefit the offense and team as a whole.
With this pick, the Bears go with one of the more overlooked receivers in this draft. He’s only recently started to get a little more national attention when it comes to the draft process, receiving a nice shoutout on Good Morning Football just yesterday.
"A wildcard name to watch in this year's Draft is WR Jaelon Darden out of @MeanGreenFB. He's as shifty a wide receiver as there is in this year's crop and he had 19 TDs. His name will be bubbling up in front offices quite a bit in the coming months." -- @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/DLUxn6V1uO
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 1, 2021
Darden is as fast a wide receiver as you will find in this class. He can get behind a defense before your eyes have figured out just what he’s done to the poor defensive back. This kid’s speed and footwork are no joke. He’s a problem, and he’ll make this offense absolutely electric.
Last year at North Texas, Darden caught 74 passes for 1,190 yards and a mind-blowing 19 touchdowns — in nine games.
His career trajectory has done exactly what it should each year, and that is to go up. Even with a shorter season in 2020, Darden’s numbers went up. He is as solid a prospect as you will find in the third round or later, and the Bears would be molding their offense into an exciting bunch, right before our very eyes.